Homes Get Go-Ahead Despite 'Eyesore' Fear
By Jo Deeks on Thursday, 13th October 2005.
Revised plans for homes on former farm land, originally approved on appeal, have been given the go-ahead despite continuing protests.
Abbey Developments' scheme for 76 homes on the seven-acre site at Chalkstone Way, Haverhill was approved by St Edmundsbury Council's development control committee.
Its decision to refuse outline plans for the site in August 2003 was overturned on appeal last Novenber. An earlier detailed application was refused.
Three local residents objected to the development of greenbelt land, claiming the flats and houses would be an eyesore and that ponds to be created for sewage would be a public health hazard.
They also claimed additional cars from the site would increase pollution and that the development would spoil an important area of countryside which was abundant with wildlife.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust objected to the plans because common lizards, a protected species, were on the site. It suggested a small area of public open space should be left in a semi-natural state for the reptiles.
Haverhill Town Council recommended that a mini roundabout be built at the junction with Chalkstone Way and that adequate lighting be provided in the parking areas and along footpaths.
Ward member for St Edmundsbury, Councillor Patrick Hanlon, objected on the grounds of increased car pollution on Chalkstone Way. He believed a new road should be built to the site from the A143, north east of the Rising Sun Pub.
A report to the committee said that following the appeal objections to the principle of development were no longer relevant and only design issues could be considered.
The lizard population could be protected by a condition and the attenuation pond would store clean surface water to prevent flooding and would not be contaminated by sewage.
The suggestion of a mini roundabout was not supported by the Highway Authority, which had no concerns about the safety of access or the impact on traffic on Chalkstone Way.
Permission was granted subject to a list of 23 conditions, including that a reptile survey be carried out.
Abbey Developments' scheme for 76 homes on the seven-acre site at Chalkstone Way, Haverhill was approved by St Edmundsbury Council's development control committee.
Its decision to refuse outline plans for the site in August 2003 was overturned on appeal last Novenber. An earlier detailed application was refused.
Three local residents objected to the development of greenbelt land, claiming the flats and houses would be an eyesore and that ponds to be created for sewage would be a public health hazard.
They also claimed additional cars from the site would increase pollution and that the development would spoil an important area of countryside which was abundant with wildlife.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust objected to the plans because common lizards, a protected species, were on the site. It suggested a small area of public open space should be left in a semi-natural state for the reptiles.
Haverhill Town Council recommended that a mini roundabout be built at the junction with Chalkstone Way and that adequate lighting be provided in the parking areas and along footpaths.
Ward member for St Edmundsbury, Councillor Patrick Hanlon, objected on the grounds of increased car pollution on Chalkstone Way. He believed a new road should be built to the site from the A143, north east of the Rising Sun Pub.
A report to the committee said that following the appeal objections to the principle of development were no longer relevant and only design issues could be considered.
The lizard population could be protected by a condition and the attenuation pond would store clean surface water to prevent flooding and would not be contaminated by sewage.
The suggestion of a mini roundabout was not supported by the Highway Authority, which had no concerns about the safety of access or the impact on traffic on Chalkstone Way.
Permission was granted subject to a list of 23 conditions, including that a reptile survey be carried out.
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